The Knox County Scenic Drive is a self-guided car tour that occurs the first two full weekends of October (Saturday & Sunday), allowing you to navigate your way through the small towns of Knox County. You will encounter old traditions, crafts and skills at each of the stops along the way. Two one-room schoolhouses, four buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a railroad depot, an 1832 log cabin, museums and century old chapels will be open for visitors to explore. Stops include two in Galesburg, two in Knoxville, Maquon, Orange Chapel, Woodland Farms and Walnut Grove Barn.

Rice Lake is a waterfowler's dream. Its high quality habitat attracts thousands of migrating birds annually. In addition, areas are also available for fishing, boating, camping, and wildlife observation.

Spring Lake Park in Macomb, IL. has three different singletrack trails ranging in intermediate to difficult. At 10 miles in length this park has a nice smattering of everything an adrenaline junky would want. The trails here are tight in some spots with a few ladder bridges, log piles and even a teeter-totter, and the hills just keep coming with jumps that make you feel weightless.

Browns Oakridge Zoo is a family owned and operated zoo established in 1990. Beginning with a single pot bellied pig and a few whitetail deer, the number of species housed at the zoo has grown to include five Siberian tigers, several black bears, two lions, and many more exotic and domestic animals. Over the years we have taken in many abandoned animals. A total of 152 lion and tiger cubs, abandoned in captivity have been reared here. Most of our animals have been raised in the house, and have had a lot of human contact. You won’t just get to see the animals here, but you will be able to have hands on contact. Imagine being able to hold a lion, tiger, or bear cub. It brings out the kid in all of us.

The Emiquon Preserve, also known as the “Jewel of the Illinois River,” is aptly named for its abundance of wetlands and wildlife. The sheer biological diversity made it the natural place for Native Americans to settle long ago. In recent years, the land has undergone a restoration returning its natural beauty for all to enjoy once again.

Find serenity at this beautiful 1700-acre wooded park situated along an old stagecoach route between Galena and Beardstown. Featuring 95-acre Argyle Lake, the park is home to countless beaver dams and more than 200 bird species and 5 miles of hiking and biking trails.

The Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Associates invite you to come to Fulton County, Illinois and enjoy the natural wonders of the Spoon River Valley. Spoon River has carved a wide scenic valley through Fulton County as it flows from London Mills to the south and east where it joins the Illinois River near the southeastern corner of the county. The Spoon River became nationally known from the work of Edgar Lee Masters, author of the noted Spoon River Anthology. Come on out the first two full weekends in October. There are over one hundred miles of scenic routes on the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive to be enjoyed on this driving tour with beautiful fall colors. There will be food, arts, crafts, entertainment and flea market. Visit 17 villages and historic sites!